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By KYLE HIGHTOWER

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — There was a time in the not-too-distant past when it was a yearly occurrence for the New England Patriots to win the AFC East and go to the playoffs.

But after a run of 11 straight division crowns from 2009 to 2019, the Patriots (11-2) haven’t won the division in five seasons or been to the postseason in three.

They can end both droughts with a win over the Buffalo Bills (9-4) on Sunday.

“This is a great stage that we put ourselves on,” coach Mike Vrabel said.

The last time New England finished atop the division, in 2019, was Tom Brady’s final season with the Patriots before he departed to join Tampa Bay.

Since then, Buffalo has captured the division each of the last five seasons and reached

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